WORKERS at the Bosch factory say they are “staring into the abyss” as they clock off for the last time today.

The majority of the 489 remaining employees finish work today, ending more than 20 years of production at the Miskin plant.

Despite the announcement that Gloucestershire-based engineering firm Renishaw had acquired the site with a view to creating hundreds of jobs, many workers heading for the exit doors found it hard to see past their imminent unemployment.

One 37-year-old, who asked to remain unnamed for fear of jeopardising potential future employment with the new firm, said: “We’re staring into the abyss and it’s hard to be optimistic at the moment.

“I’ve been here for nearly two decades and the job security provided a stable life for me and my family until this.

“It’s unsettling and extremely upsetting for us as a family. I found my little boy in tears the other day.

“I’ve got to stay strong and positive and hopefully a good job will come up soon.”

Another employee, 48, was cautiously optimistic about the future.

He said: “I don’t know how much we can look at Renishaw coming in as a reason for optimism.

“We, as workers, don’t know much about the company and what they want to do but potentially it’s great news. There might be light at the end of the tunnel if they can offer skilled work for those of us who have been at Bosch for many years.”

Renishaw has announced it has exchanged contracts to acquire the Bosch facility.

Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw, said the company hoped to create jobs.

He said: “At present we cannot say exactly how many jobs we will create but we hope it will be hundreds over the coming years. We believe the skills are in the local area and when jobs are available we will advertise them in South Wales.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said it would work hard to help former Bosch employees train and find work.

David Lewis of Unite said there was cause for hope.

He said: “The news that Renishaw have acquired the Miskin site makes us very optimistic.”